It’s October 13, 2014, and I’m writing some words on paper. Lately I’ve been in a funk about what my future might hold and how I might create it.
Reading The Creativity Checklist: The 11 Step System that Instantly Pulls Million Dollar Ideas Out of Your Head by Tim Castleman inspired me to write this post. I don’t know how often my sister and I have said to each other, “Couldn’t we have thought of that?” after seeing some simple product become what the Shark Tank finds amazing.
Tim’s first step in the process is to answer the question, “What problem does your product/service solve?”
I opened a PowerPoint screen and typed that into the header. My fingers began flying over the keyboard and here’s what came up–not in any priority, just brain-dumped.
- I believe I’m really good at creating safe learning environments for women.
- I believe that women at all stages of their life believe that they can do something more.
- I believe that no matter how many candles are on your cake, there is still a flame in your heart.
- I believe I still have something to add to the world that can make a difference.
- I believe in the power of women together.
- I believe that the world can be a better place for women.
- I believe that no matter where you are, what you’ve done, or what you’ve believed about yourself, it can be changed.
- I believe that being happy with the life we create is not about money.
- I believe that every single day, we have a choice to change our life.
- I believe life IS a daring adventure.
- I believe that choice is the beauty of each sunrise, each moment in our life.
- I believe I can make my life new again.
- I believe that if we look at our “I believes,” we can change our life.
- I believe that women speaking to women–and women listening to women–can make the world a better place.
- I believe in love.
- I believe that I believe.
I realize now that these are not problems, but they did reveal to me my passions.
So what do I think is “the problem” to be solved?
- The problem is that no one asks a midlife women what her dream is. We don’t hear, “What do you want to do when you grow up?”
- The problem is that as midlife women we’re supposed to be done, to feel finished. We no longer feel there is a blank canvas to our life.
- The problem is that there is no longer a vehicle for midlife women to share their dreams. We don’t know where to do this without feeling silly, judged or weird.
- The problem is that the world needs midlife women to believe, to share and connect. Together we can create peace in our lives and our world.
How do we begin to change the current scenario?
All suggestions welcome!
Love,
Mary Helen
What a wonderful List!!
I found myself nodding my head more and more as I read through it!
I’m a strange cross-over woman, as I’m 55, look like I’m in my 30’s and have a 12 year old daughter and a 64 year old husband.
We cross many developmental family and adult growth phases on one household. I so agree with you that woman have not been taught nor offered the opportunity easily to grow into that next “midlife” phase. That is why the empty nest syndrome strikes many so negatively and powerfully.
I love where you are going with this Mary!
Warmly,
Deborah
Thanks, Deborah. I might be checking in with you later. Your story sounds amazing! You definitely have ageism at bay 🙂 MH
What do I want to be when I grow up – such a good point! And still so valid for any age as most of us are willing and even yearning to do something new! Encouragement for self development of any kind will go a long, long way towards working on this problem.
Yes, our heart dreams are forever, aren’t they. Thanks
You posed some great questions to ponder! I think two things are needed:
1) A cultural shift is needed here in the US and the first step in making a shift is AWARENESS. Midlife in other countries is not so frowned upon….dare a I say, it’s almost celebrated. Wisdom of the elders is more respected, vanity is not as much as an issue.
2) Vanity brings me to the second point. ACCEPTANCE of getting older is also needed. We live in a culture where young and wrinkle free are advertised. It takes a deep acceptance of self to overcome the culture messages of youth and to look at the aging process as a gift.
Both points Lee Ann are so very true. We have a generation of the “wisdom of the elders” that needs to figure out how to retire well, so that those that come later have more opportunities. Thanks, MH